Royal visit to Libya reconsidered

[WillowTree]

A royal visit to Libya is being reconsidered after the welcome given to the Lockerbie bomber on his return to the country, the BBC understands.

The Foreign Office is reviewing plans for Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, to meet senior figures and promote trade.

The visit - planned for early September - now seems unlikely to go ahead.

It also emerged that the prime minister had written to Colonel Gaddafi asking that Libya "act with sensitivity" when Megrahi returned home.

Downing Street said Gordon Brown had sent the letter on Thursday, ahead of the bomber's release from prison.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband has described the celebratory welcome in Libya for Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi as "deeply distressing".

BBC Diplomatic Correspondent James Robbins said he understood the royal visit - which had not yet been made public - was now unlikely to proceed.

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Royal visit to Libya reconsidered

 

[Toro]

Given the reception this terrorist got when he arrived home, this is probably a wise decision.